Vers. 8-11.-(2) The epistle to ~ <Jhurch in Smyrna: the <Jhurch ezposed to suffering. The ds.rk shades of coming sorrow gather about a Church already distin- guished by tribulation and poverty and rude reviling. " The devil is about to cast some of you into prison;" so saith he "which was dead, and lived again." Even death in bitterness of persecuting violence will fall upon some. The All-seeing One discerns the coming storm, and cheers his faithful people to stand fi.rm in the day of their suffering, and to be "faithful even unto death." Great is that fidelity which can remain unimpaired, even though life be forfeited in the struggle. The Lord of life promises life to them who fall in the great cause ; and though they be hurt severely in the present or the coming afflictions, yet shall not " the second death " " hurt " hinl that overcometh. The W&tchwotd of this epistle is "Fear not.~ This rallying word of the great Captain is strengthened, and the heart of the Church is assured- !. BY THE CHARACTER OF HIM WHO U'rTEBS IT. " The First and the Last, which was dead, and lived again." The assurance from the revived Lord, who had conquered death and proved himself superior to it, would be the most cheering to them who were threatened with death. If they suffer with him, they shall also reign with him. II. BY THE ASSERTION THAT ALL IS BNDURED Il!f VIEW OJ!' TUE LORD OJ!' THE ClroRcm. "I know thy tribulation.n The eye of the sympathizing Lord is upon them. They are not forgotten-forsaken. Jesus is near. III. BY THE TEldl'OBARY DURATION OJ' THE Al!'l!'LIOTION. " Ye shall have tribulation ten days." It is a measured time, and a .brief one. It is not for ever. The Lord, who placed bounds to the sea, has put a limit to the sufferinga of his Church. It shall pass away. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." IV. BY :PBOllllBE OF THE FINAL REWARDS OJ!' ETERNAL LlllE, and by assurance of exemption from the " hurt of the second death." The first death may conquer them and lay them low, but they shall ultimately tri~:!JJh. unto and in spite of death, the highest rewards If fidelity be me.intained even be given. " Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."-:R. G. Vera. 12-17.-(3) The epistk to the OlHweh in. Pergamum: the fait1,/ul <JhlWfJh waning from internal decxiv. He " that bath the sharp two-edged sword" bean it not en, n. 1-29.] THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. 93
in vain. It is a keen weapon of judgment againat all adversaries, and may be a t)'.Ue and effectual warning t.o faithless ones within the Church and threatening ones without. The adversary has hia seat in the city where this Church finds its centre. With persecuting violence assailing it, this Church has maintained its faithfulness to its Lord. External opposition was met by a noble fi.delit;r: "Thou boldest fast my Name, and didst not deny my faith." Yet did evil lurk--errors in "teaching," corruption in worship and in manners. Heretical departnres within the sacred enclosure were more to be feared, because more truly a source of danger, than outward foes. The call of the Lord to the Church is clear &11 a clarion-cry. It is in the one watchword of the epistle, " RP/]Jfflt." Thia is the one immediate and imperative duty, and it is urged by the following motives. I. IT IS THE IMPERATIVE DEMAND OF THE RIGHTEOUS LORD. That he should utter the word of warning and admonition is sufficient. No one ought to wait to find other motive for obedience; every motive is folded up within this one. It ia the Lord'a cry to repentance. His word only has authority within his Church. II. IT IS THE JUST AND NECESSARY STEP IN THE PROCESS OF RECOVERY, Repentance alone can save them. Without it judgment must come. The "therefore" throws the Church back upon the consideration why it should repent. The error, the wrong, the departure, demand the lowly penitence, the humble confession, the renewed devotion. III. BY THE TERRIBLE ALTERNATIVE OF THE DIVINE INVITATION. "Or I come to thee quickly," The Lord comes to his needy Church to supply its wants; to his Church in sorrow to comfort it ; but in judgment if it be unfa.ithfltl. · IV, BY THE HEAVY JUDGMENTS WHICH ARl!I THREATENED IF REPENTANCE BE WITH- - HELD. " I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth." That sword pi8f"ces to the depths of the sensitive soul. Of all judgments the Lord's sword is the heaviest. It is the sword of his mouth, his word of condemnation, in which, as in a kernel, all judgment lies hidden. · v. Repentance is further urged BY THE GRACIOUS WORD OF PROMISE, which also is a word of encouragement to the faithful and incorrupt. 1. To him that overcometh will I "-the righteous Judge-" give of the hidden manna "-the secret nourishment of his spiritual life. ".Instead of feasting on things offered to idols, I will satisfy hitn with the true Bread-that which cometh down from heaven. I am that Bread. I will myself be his daily satisfying Portion. He shall feed on that which was sacrificed to God." Christ is the soul's Bread, the soul's Portion, and in him the soul has every- thing. 2. '.l'o him also shall be given "a white stone "-if of acquittal; bow precious I To be acquitted at his bar is not merely to be acquitted, but to be received into favour and to be enriched in the highest degree. 3. " And in the stone a new name." Is this a revelation of his own ineffable Name? The greatest bliss of heaven will be in knowing the Divine Name. Truly to know him is life eternal. But it shall be special to each, each having his own position and his own special vision, "which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it."-R. G.